NAM supports efforts to combat financing of terrorists

Terrorism has emerged as a major security threat. One of the major aspects associated with terrorism is the mode of terror-financing. Non-Aligned Movement has underlined the need for States to cooperate resolutely against international terrorism by taking speedy and effective measures to eliminate this scourge and in this regard urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under applicable international law and the UN Charter, to deny safe haven and bring to justice or, where appropriate, extradite, on the basis of the principle of extradite or prosecute, the perpetrators of terrorist acts or any person who supports, facilitates or participates or attempts to participate in the financing, planning or preparation of terrorist acts. NAM has called upon its Member States to introduce comprehensive qualitative changes to national laws and legislation in order to criminalise all terrorist acts as well as support, financing or instigation of such acts.

NAM supports Resolution 2462(2019) adopted by the UN Security Council on 28 March 2019. The Resolution states that all States should have measures in order to criminalise all terrorist acts as well as support, financing or instigation of such acts and that such terrorist acts are established as serious criminal offences in domestic laws and regulations and that the punishment duly reflects the seriousness of such terrorist acts.

During the debate held before the adoption of the Resolution 2462 (2019), Venezuela speaking on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement stated that any act of terrorism is an egregious violation of international law. Such acts jeopardize territorial integrity and the stability of States and undermine legitimately elected Governments. There is a need to address the root causes of terrorism. States must refrain from organizing or instigating terrorist acts in other nations. They must also prevent the financing of such acts and refrain from encouraging activities within their borders that could be used against other States. He reiterated the obligation of the international community to criminalize the funding of terrorism, underscoring the links between transnational crimes and financing of terrorism.

India, one of the founding members of NAM, has been a victim of terrorism for more than 3 decades now. During the debate, India backed the Resolution 2462 (2019) and emphasised that the UN Security Council must do a better job of overseeing implementation of its resolutions. Terrorists will be ever more creative in finding ways to violate the rulebook and States that support them will continue to justify their inaction. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, emphasised during the debate that combating terrorism is one of the most fundamental security policy priorities that require global responsiveness. Effective and sustained efforts at countering terrorism is at the heart of the issue of addressing terrorism.

Indonesia, another prominent NAM Member State, emphasised the need to close the implementation gap affecting international instruments on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, stated that Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand were working to analyse the threat, vulnerability and impact of terrorism financing in the Asia‑Pacific region, while at the domestic level, Indonesia was strengthening coordination among relevant agencies, including with the private sector.

Iraq, which has borne the brunt of scourge of terrorism in the past few years, stated that Resolution 2426 (2019) represents an important step to prevent terrorism. Iraq has been working with the Office of Counter-Terrorism and has launched important projects, including on countering terrorist financing. The Government is considering the appointment of a special adviser on these projects and adopted a national counter-terrorism strategy. Iraq Government created a blacklist of institutions managed by ISIL and shared it with 70 countries in the coalition. It signed several memorandums of understanding with intelligence units and established a Cabinet-level committee to freeze funds and assets for designated individuals and entities.